Dinner

,

Quinoa Fried 'Rice'

,
Quinoa Fried 'Rice'

This is a protein-packed version of good ole fried rice that is the easiest way to use up leftovers in the fridge! Fried rice is a one of my favorite indulgences - there's something so easy and lazy about it. A one-stop-shop that has carbs, protein, and veggies all in one. I've been trying to cut down on carbs (lol so hard) and switching out rice with quinoa is the perfect for doing this. You can probably tell from the influx of quinoa recipes on the blog lately lol! 

I regularly make a variation of this dish every week, depending on whatever I've got in the fridge. Pan-fried tofu and quinoa are the mainstays; anything else is just a bonus! I love tossing in fresh broccoli, onions, and carrots, but you can use frozen veggies, chicken, shrimp, even leftover steak. The options are endless! I love using plum sauce as a little twist in my stir-fries. It's a viscous, light brown sweet and tangy sauce that is amazing with fried tofu, chicken, pork, etc. A mix of fresh ginger, oyster sauce, and plum sauce makes a wonderful sauce that clings to all the great ingredients in this dish. Let's get cookin :)

, ,

Stuffed Baby Bok Choy Cups

, ,
Stuffed Baby Bok Choy Cups

Living in Hong Kong is a constant foodie fest. There are so many amazing things to eat and try and sometimes it gets overwhelming. I've been trying my best to cook at home more often (even though eating out is so much more convenient in HK!) But it has really made a change in my energy levels and overall well-being. It's often hard to avoid carbs here, but today I have a really fun recipe that is the perfect addition to your low-carb list! These babies are like eating flavorful dumplings...without the guilt!

, , ,

Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen)

, , ,
Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen)

This dish is a great way to cool down in the Spring/Summer! Hiyashi Chuka can be made with a variety of toppings, but popular ones include: pickled ginger, cucumbers, ham, shrimp, strips of egg crepes, imitation crab, nori strips, wakame seaweed, and sesame seeds. Some other great ideas are carrots, shredded steamed chicken, and tomatoes! The options are endless, and the dressing is so yummy that it'll pull any combination together. This recipe is super simple - shred and julienne all your toppings, whisk up the dressing, and toss the chilled noodles together. You know how certain foods taste even better when eaten cold? The flavors of the sesame, soy, and rice vinegar dressing bring all the toppings to life :) Let's get cookin!

,

20 Minute Buttery Tomato and Shallot Pasta

,
20 Minute Buttery Tomato and Shallot Pasta

You can never have enough good pasta dishes in your recipe box :) When you don't have time to simmer a sauce for a couple of hours, it's nice to have a quick 20 minute dish to throw together. You can use any pasta you like - this is wonderful with shells, pappardelle, even angel hair - whatever you've got in the pantry. Blistered cherry tomatoes, shallots, and fresh basil make for a lightly coated pasta that is perfectly filling. This is an easy, meatless weeknight meal! Find out how quickly you can be chowin down on this pasta next! Let's get cookin :) 

, ,

Poached Salmon with Sesame Ginger Quinoa

, ,
Poached Salmon with Sesame Ginger Quinoa

This combo is so yummy! The tiny quinoa pops in your mouth, and the gentle flavors of sesame and ginger are perfect with the moist, flakey salmon. The sauce brings just enough salt and acid to the protein, and the quinoa soaks it all up. What I love about dishes like these is learning new techniques. Now you can poach other fish, or incorporate quinoa into your meals! :) 

One Pan, No Bake 20 Minute Lasagna

One Pan, No Bake 20 Minute Lasagna

This is of my favorite recipes since it's so easy, delicious, and straightforward. The results are great every time. A nice cheesy crust, tender lasagna noodles, creamy ricotta, savory Italian sausage, and zesty tomato sauce simmer on the stove for a mere 20 minutes and magically become the world's easiest lasagna. Once you've got all the ingredients prepped, the actual cook time is a breeze. Throw everything in one pan and impress your loved ones. I generally have a bunch of these ingredients on hand in my pantry so it's a great dish to make for last minute dinners. Find out how next...let's get cookin! 

Bolognese

Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese is a delicious classic. There are a million recipes out there for this meat-based sauce, or ragu, but I think I've got a really delicious one.  This isn't an ordinary weeknight meal - the simmer time alone makes it a recipe to try out on a night where you're already digging into some leftovers, or on a weekend where you've got a little more time. You can make it ahead of time; let it simmer while you sit down for dinner, and then store it for another night. It's rich, flavorful, and so wonderfully hearty. Even better when it's topped off with tons of freshly shaved Parmesan :) Let's get cookin!

,

Shrimp and Grits

,
Shrimp and Grits

There are a ton of nights where you simply don't want to leave the house for groceries. It's nice to have some staples on hand for lazy evenings. Frozen shrimp are so versatile and easy to cook with! Shrimp and grits sounds intimidating but is incredibly easy to throw together. You'll be surprised by how little effort it takes to gain so much flavor. You can, of course, use fresh shrimp. The only difference between the two is giving the frozen ones a little rinse in cold water to defrost them. When you're shopping for shrimp (I prefer tail-on, there's so much flavor in the shells!) it is sold by size and the sizes are expressed in counts per pound. For example, jumbo shrimp is expressed as 21/25, meaning that there would be an average of 23 shrimp per pound. Grits is a type of maize, or corn porridge. These two are a traditional pairing that is often eaten during breakfast :) We're adding a little cream and cheese to the grits to make them extra tasty. The creamy grits are a perfect canvas for the saucy shrimp, kielbasa, tomatoes, onions, and peppers! Let's get cookin :) 

Creamy Caprese Pasta

Creamy Caprese Pasta

Ooey, gooey cheesy pasta is one of my favorite things in the world. I try to feature healthier recipes on Broke and Cooking, but let's all face it...carbs is life. We've all gotta have some yummy pasta every now and then. With the weather getting colder, this is the perfect dish for getting cozy on the couch and binge-watching Netflix. It's super easy to make, and really easy on the budget. Caprese is a simple Italian salad made of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil; often dressed with salt and olive oil. This pasta tosses all that goodness together and gets a nice golden crust in the oven. Creamy Caprese Pasta is full of robust tomato flavor and can feed a herd of people for very little cost. Let's get cookin! 

, ,

Sambal Minced Beef with Fried Egg and Bok Choy

, ,
Sambal Minced Beef with Fried Egg and Bok Choy

This month's #MISSDISH recipe is the perfect dish for the start of Fall. Savory, comforting, and bursting with flavor. Ground beef becomes the most satisfying dish when it's cooked in an amazing combination of Sambal, soy, a little sugar, and fish sauce. Fish sauce adds tons of umami to this dish. The minced beef is amazing with an egg on top. I personally love a sunny-side-up egg, which is cooked on one side until the white is set, but the yolk is still runny. Mixing the runny yolk with the minced beef is BOMB. Let's get cookin :)